Evaluation of Propolis on Experimental Healing of Diaphyseal Defects in Rabbit Ulna

Background and Auto-transplantation is the best bone graft substitute, but there are some limitations. Therefore, other methods using synthetic or natural materials are recommended. Propolis is a resinous natural product derived from plant exudates collected by honeybees. It has been extensively used in folk medicine because of its biological and pharmacological activities. The present study was carried out to evaluate the osteogenic properties of propolis on healing of diaphyseal defects in rabbit ulna. In this study ten healthy adult male white New Zealand rabbits were used. The animals were randomly divided into control and treatment groups (n=5 per group). Three millimeters defects were created in right diaphysis of ulna in all animals and intramedullary pins were used for bone fixation. In treatment group the defects were filled with propolis but in control group the defects were left unfilled. Radiological study showed that propolis as a scaffold could somewhat guide the bone growth. Histological section showed moderately differentiated lamellar bone in the cortical part with presence of haversian canal at peripheral cortex, whereas fibrocollagenous tissue and good amount of bone marrow tissue, fat cells and bone vessels were observed in control group. The results showed no significant difference in bone healing between the two groups. Propolis have biological materials, minerals and amino and organic acid properties, therefore, further studies are required to clarify the efficacy of propolis on bone healing.